(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad and Maj. Gen. Tim Orr, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, this morning issued the following joint statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ action to prevent Air National Guard cuts:

“We commend the United States House of Representatives, including the Iowa delegation, for ensuring that the Air National Guard will remain a robust part of our nation’s military and homeland security capabilities. Cutting the Air National Guard would counter common sense because the Air Guard is the most cost-effective and many times most experienced part of our Air defense capabilities. The Guard personnel also provide important emergency response capabilities as demonstrated by the response to the crash of Flight 232 in Sioux City to the more recent flooding along the Missouri River. This is a positive step for the Air Guard and we will continue to stay engaged with fellow governors in this national policy discussion.”